Flower carrier



|: t TURNER FLOWER CARRIER Aug. 20, 1940.

#wa n IN VEN TOR. DA V/D TUR/VER BY Z A TTORN E Y.

Filed May 3, 1938 Patented Aug. 20, 1940 PATENT?- oFFicEf FLOWER CARRIER iii' i David Turner, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 'Application May 3, 193s, serial No, 205,727

5 Claims.

This` invention relates to flower carriers and 'has particular relation to a collapsible basket for such purposes. i

The problem of handling flowers, for instance a. .at funerals, is difficult and large masses of flowers must be transported from place to place with- ,out crushing or injury. Furthermore, the means for holding and carrying the flowers must be unobtrusive. The carriers should be light and strong. y

It yis among the objects-of my invention to avoid vthefdifficulties ofthe` devices of the prior art and to provide means for meeting the requirements above set forth.

Another object of my invention is to provide a means for holding and transporting flowers which maybe collapsed and hidden before and after using.

Another object of my invention is to provide means for carrying more flowers, without crushing, than any other device.

Another object of my invention is to provide a flower carrying means which displays the mass of flowers to good advantage.

Another object of my invention is to provide a very light, serviceable, strong and reliable device of the above character.

Other and further features and objects of the invention will be more apparent to those skilled in the art upon a consideration of the accompanying drawing and following specification, wherein is disclosed a single exemplary embodiment of the invention, with the understanding, however, that such changes maybe made therein as fall within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In said drawing:

Figure 1 is a View in perspective of the flower carrier as it appears while being loaded with flowers.

Figure 2 is a view in perspective of the flower carrier in open position, and

Figure 3 is a View in perspective of the flower carrier in folded or collapsed position.

Referring now to the drawing:

A device constructed according to a preferred embodiment of my invention includes a bottom supporting plate IU, end rails II and I2, 4and side rails I3 and I4. It contemplates the provision of means for selectively supporting the rails in extended position above the base where the rails may be utilized for restraining and holding the flowers in position with the base supporting the ends of the stems, and means for permitting these rails to be folded down against the base when they are not in use.

A preferred construction includes the side `bars I8 and I'I which are secured to the base II), and H an end frame or panel I8 which includes the rail 'ai II. The end panel I8 is pivotally mounted on a rod I3 which serves also to assist to hold the bars I6 and I'I in position on the base I0. The end panel I8 is preferably provided with a hand-hold Opening 2l. The side rails I3 and I4 are pivot- T10 ally engaged to the upper edge of` the panel I8 by means of a rod` 22. H

Straps or braces 23 and 24 are provided at the opposite end of the base III) from the plate` I8Y and these straps are pivotally engaged to` the u base by means of a through rod 30. They are pivotally Vengaged tointermediate portions of the rails I3 and I 4` by means of pivot pins 26 and 21 and are preferably engaged so that they are parallel to the plane of end panel I8. It may be 20 readily understood by reference to the drawing that the rails I3 and I4 may be raised and lowered on the parallel lever arms afforded by the end panel I8 and the pair of straps 23 and 24.

In order to support and brace the rails I3 and 25 I4 and the end panel I8 in extended position, and in order to support the flowers at the left end of the carrier, I provide a swinging end panel 28 which is pivotally engaged on a through rod 29 passing through the free ends of the rails I3 and 30 I4, and this end panel may swing on the pivot 29. When the carrier is in the raised or extended position, a latch 3| engages on a catch 32 to hold the plate 28 in extended position and thus to hold the rails and end panel I8 in extended posi- 35 tion. When it is desired to fold the carrier the latch is released by pulling on the knob 33 of latch 3|, and the end panel 28 slid to the right to permit the end panel I8 and straps 23 and 24 to be folded down against the base.

I preferably provide guides for the free end of the end panel 28 such as the slots 34 and 36, and a rod 31 projects through the sides of end panel 28 and into these -grooves so that the free end of the end panel 28 is guided by the grooves to pre- 4.5 vent it from moving upwardly when the carrier is in the folded position.

A carrier constructed according to my invention is light and strong and provides an adequate support for the owers. The ends of the carrier 50 slope outwardly to permit farming out the flowers so that the buds and flowers will not be crushed or injured. When the carrier is fllled with Howers it is quite unobtrusive, and when the flowers have'been removed7 the carrier may be folded 55 and placed out of the Way Where it is not readily seen. The carrier is quite at when folded and thus occupies but a very small space. It is strong land reliable. Y

Although I have described a specific embodiment of my invention, it is apparent that modif-lcations may be made by those skilled in the art.

Such modifications may be made Without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as set forth in the appended claims.

li claim as my invention:

l. A `flower carrier including a base,` an end panel sWingable on the base, side rails pivotally engaged to kthe free end of the end panel, other spacing members pivotally engaged to the base and to the side rails in a plane parallel with the end member, a second end member pivotally engaged to the side rails, and means on this second end member for detachably engaging it to the base at an angle thereto and at an angle to the .spacing `members and the -rstinentioned end panel to provide for bracingsaid. members.

2. Inaflower carrier,l a ibase lfor supporting .the ends .of the stems of the flowers, means for fsupportingtheflowers includingside rails, other means for supporting the side rails including an end .panelQandincludingy also other members .pivotally engaged to the base and to the side frailsrin a plane parallel to the end panel, and a secon'd end `member also pivotally engaged to the railsandhaving means for locking it on the base at an angle to the rstcmentioned end panel to 4v'actas a brace tohold the rails in extended posiftion.

3."In a flower carrier, a base having side bars, an endpanel pivotally engaged to the side bars at one end thereof, a pair of 'straps also pivotally engaged tothe side' bars at the opposite ends thereof, side rails pivotally engaged to the end panel and to the free ends of the straps for sWinging movement up and down so that the side rails are always parallel to the base, and a brace for holding the side rails in extended position and for supporting the stems of the flowers at one end of the carrier, the brace being in the form of a second end panel pivotally connected at one end with the side rails, and having means thereon for latching it with respect to the base to hold the carrier in extended position and also having means for slidably engaging the second end panel with the side bars.

4. In a folding crate, a base member having side bars, a pair of side rails somewhat longer' than the side bars, a pair of end panels pivotally connected at their upper ends to the ends of the side rails, the loWer end of oney panel being pivotally connected to the side bars at one end thereof, a pair of straps pivotally connected to the `side bars at the other end and to the side rails so as to' beparallel with the last mentionedpanel,

the loWerend of the other panel having means slidably engaged With the side bars, and latch means on that panel and near theadjacent end ofthe base for fastening the crate in extended position.

5. Ina flower carrier, a base, an end panel pivoted for'swinging movement on the base, rails pivotally attached to the end panel, a second panel pivotally attached to the rails and pivotally and slidably connectedtothe base, and latching means for Xedly engaging the second end panel with the base at an angle to the first mentioned endpanel to hold the rails and end members in extended position to form a flower carrier.

DAVID TURNER.- 

